Game device



H. D. REID GAME DEVICE Aug. 27, 1935.

Filed Feb. 2, 1955 l flfimvzm ma f TTY Patented Aug. 27, 1935 GAME DEVICE Harry Denton Reid, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Application February 2, 1935, Serial No. 4,612

' In Canada January 2, 1935 6 Claims. (Cl. 273106) This invention relates to games of the type in which a ball or other projectable device is propelled from player to player over a net, and my object is to devise a projectable for such games which may be struck directly with the palm of the players hand, thus eliminating the use of expensive rackets while possessing substantially the properties of the shuttle cock or bird employed in badminton.

I attain my object by means of a construction which may be briefly described as follows. A head is formed of flexible material, preferably in the form of an oblate spheroid and is stufied with fibrous flexible material. To the head is secured a feather tail, the connection being such that normally the axis of the tail is maintained substantially in alinement with the polar axis of the head, while the connection ismore or less resilient.

The device is hereinafter more fully described and is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device partly in section; and

Fig. 2 a plan view of the same.

In the drawing like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Referring to the drawing, I is the head of the device which is so constructed as to be more or less flexible and resilient. To this head is connected the tail 2. The device, when propelled, will thus move head first with the tail trailing. The head is formed with a cover 3, preferably formed of natural leather, artificial leather or other substance which is flexible but not necessarily resilient. This cover is preferably shaped as an oblate spheroid and is formed in two parts which are connected together in a plane substantially at right angles to the polar axis of the spheroid. The cover 3 is stuffed with a filling 4, which will usually be of flexible fibrous resilient material such as horse hair or kapok. The tail 2 is preferably formed of large feathers 8, which are secured to the head through the medium of the connector 5. This connector is preferably, though not necessarily, made of flexible material shaped to form the neck 6 and the flange l. The neck 6 receives the quill ends of the feathers 8, these quills being secured within the neck in any suitable manner, as for instance by the use of a cementitious material. A preferred method is to fit a cylindrical filler 9, preferably of cork, within the neck which is longitudinally grooved externally to receive at least partly the quills of the feathers. mented in place.

opening in the cover 3 and is provided at its lower end with the flange I which is secured'to the cover as by the use of a suitable cementitious material and/or by-sewing. The connection is so positioned that the axis of the tail is substantially in alinement with the polar axis of the head, assuming the latter to be of oblate spheroidal form.

From the construction described it follows that there is a certain amount of flexibility in the connection between the neck 6 and the head and also flexibility in the connection between the feathers andthe neck owing to the resiliency of the cork. At the same time there is suflicient resistance to permanent displacement to normally maintain the axis of the tail in substantial alinement with the polar axis of the head.

It will be noted that the feathers 8 are longitudinally curved, the concave side of each feather being outwards so that their tips are more or less spread.

From the construction described it follows that the head is more or less soft and resilient so that the device may be readily propelled by a blow from the palm of the hand and tossed over a net, or as otherwise determined, to be returned by an opposing player.

While I have described the preferred material and details of construction, it will be evident that many modifications are possible which would fall within the scope of my invention.

What'I claim as my invention is:

1. A game device comprising a globular head having a flexible cover formed of halves secured together circumferentially and a filling of fibrous flexible. material; a feather tail having its axis substantially normal to the plane of connection of the halves of the ,cover; and a connector of flexible material shaped to form a tubular neck in which the quill ends of the feathers of the tail are bound and a flange secured to the underside of the cover about a hole therein through which the neck extends.

2. A game device according to claim 1 in which an externally grooved cylindrical filler is fitted in the neck, the quills of the feathers being fitted in the grooves.

3. A game device comprising a globular head having a flexible cover and a filling of fibrous flexible material, the cover having a circular opening therein; a feather tail having its axis substantially normal to the plane of the opening; and a connector shaped to form a tubular tail are bound and a flange secured to the underside of the cover about the hole therein and in -contact with the fllling. l

4. A game device according to claim 3 in which resilient fllling material fills the space within the tubular neck and between the quills of the feathers.

5. A game device comprising a globular head having a flexible cover formed or halves secured together circumierentially and a filling of fibrous flexible material; a feather tail having itsaxis substantially normal to the plane of connection or the halves of the cover; anda connector shaped 2 ,o12,7so

neck in which the quill ends of the feathers of thetdtorm a tubular neck'in which the quill ends of the feathers of the tail are bound and a flange secured to the underside of the cover about a hole therein through which the neck extends.

6. A game device comprising a globular head having a flexible cover formed of halves secured together circumterentially and a fllling of fibrous flexible material; a feather tail having its axis substantially normal to the plane or the con'--- 

